Monday 29 April 2013

Melges 32 : Tomasini Grinover Crowned 2013 OtterBox® Melges 32 Virgin Islands Sailing Series Champion

2013 OtterBox® Melges 32 Virgin Islands Sailing Series Champion, Roberto Tomasini Grinover, Robertissima ©2013 JOY | IM32CA

by Joy Dunigan

Congratulations to Roberto Tomasini Grinover aboard Robertissima, as he is the first ever and newly crowned 2013 OtterBox® Melges 32 Virgin Island Sailing Series (M32VISS), Caribbean Champion Tomasini Grinover was accompanied by tactician Vasco Vascotto and crew comprised of Gaetano Figlia di Granara, Giovanni Cassinari, Gunnar Bahr, Armin Raderbauer, Pablo Torrado and Nevio Sabadin.

Second overall in the Series was Dalton DeVos on Delta with tactician Jonathan McKee, followed by Ryan DeVos with Ed Baird as tactician on Volpe in third.

Dalton DeVos, Delta. ©2013 JOY | IM32CA

The last day of racing concluded in the British Virgin Islands under simply gorgeous conditions. A beautiful 8-10 knots held steady for the teams to squeeze in four final races, in which the youngest DeVos, Dalton claimed bullets in Race Four and Seven. Other race winners included the BVI's own Mark Plaxton on INTAC who ended up in third overall at the event. Alex Jackson's Leenabarca championed Race Five.

Mark Plaxton, INTAC ©2013 JOY | IM32CA

ENDLESS THANKS
The list is long, but it has to be said. PRO Hank Stuart and the IM32CA partnership with the Royal BVI Yacht Club was a match made in racing heaven. Sheer perfection on the course enabled racers to focus on going fast, so a huge round of thanks to the Race Committee for an impeccable past three days of racing. A very special thanks to Peter Island Resort and Spa and their brilliant staff for making the host venue the absolute best!

On behalf of the IM32CA, special thanks to Tom Geisler as his very steady hand at the helm of the Volpe tender, as without his talents the beautiful photos and media coverage of the event would not have been possible!

ABOUT THE SERIES
The 2013 Otterbox® Melges 32 Virgin Islands Sailing Series consists of three exquisite events and is the first ever of its kind for the progressive sportboat class. Act one of the three-part series, the BVI Sportboat Regatta took place on February 21-24, hosted by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda. The second event was held in conjunction with the International Rolex Regatta in the U.S. Virgin Islands back on March 22-24. The 2013 Caribbean Championship is happening now on the luxurious and very private Peter Island.

The IM32CA has also proud to be partnered with Presenting Gold Level Sponsors Seaborne Airlines and INTAC Global Investments.

2013 OtterBox® Melges 32 Virgin Islands Sailing Series Teams ©2013 JOY | IM32CA

TOP THREE RESULTS (FINAL - After Seven Races)
1.) Roberto Tomasini Grinover/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima; 1-4-1-2-3-[5]-3 = 14
2.) Dalton DeVos/Jonathan McKee, Delta; 3-1-5-1-4-[6]-1 = 15
3.) Mark Plaxton/Richard Clarke, INTAC; 2-3-6-[7]-2-1-6 = 20
View Full Results
View Full Crew List
View Full Photo Gallery - JOY
View Full Photo Gallery - Armando Jenik

TOP FIVE OVERALL SERIES RANKING (FINAL - After Three Events)
1.) Roberto Tommasini Grinover, Robertissima = 296 pts.
2.) Dalton DeVos, Delta = 292 pts.
3.) Ryan DeVos, Volpe = 289 pts.
View Full Ranking Results After Two Events

Melges 32